Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

Slay in Herve … because it’s the best way to end a fashionable year

What:

Wrapping up 2017 wearing one of my Favorite Things: HERVE LEGER. Plus, a little jibber-jabber about hopes, dreams and fancy things in 2018.

Why:

Ahh, romance & glamour…

Nothing used to say “New Year’s Eve” to me like a fabulous dress, a festive party and a fantastic man. Think the popular 80’s movie: “When Harry Met Sally”… More specifically, that famous last scene in the film when Harry & Sally realize they’re freaking nuts about each other.

It starts out with a hurried Harry pushing his way through a crowded New Year’s Eve party trying to find a heartbroken Sally. He’s in street clothes, she, of course, is in a gorgeous off-the-shoulder dark blue cocktail dress, looking every inch the fashion goddess.

Despite being broken up for months, the “meant to be” couple finally comes face-to-face on one of the most iconic nights of the year.

And, while their chemistry is ELECTRIC and their love PALPABLE, their happily-ever-after hangs delicately in the balance. (Get me a tissue!)

Then…

Harry proceeds to tell Sally she’s the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He adds sweetly: “I love you.” “What?” She says perplexed. “I love you,” he says emphatically.

Sally doesn’t believe Harry (because, well, most of the time men suck,) so she explains: “It doesn’t work that way! You can’t just barge back into my life expecting to pick up where we left off, because it’s New Year’s Eve and you feel lonely.”

Just as the traditional countdown begins, Harry tells Sally he doesn’t love her because he’s lonely, he loves her because of her special idiosyncrasies; like how she gets cold when it’s 71 degrees, how her face wrinkles up just above her nose when he says something annoying and how it takes Sally an hour or so just to order a simple sandwich.

“Auld Lang Syne” starts playing in the background and Sally cries: “I hate you, Harry,” but of course, she doesn’t really hate him, she LOVES him, they love one another. As they embrace and fall into a passionate kiss, the camera zooms out revealing the landscape of the party: the balloons, the confetti and dozens of couples dancing… Happy New Year!! 🎉

OMG! Be still, my besotted heart. 💝

Not only is that scene major movie magic, it’s something I’ve tried recreating for the better part of my adult life. The dress, the party, the man, the romance of it all and the trappings I assumed came along with it.

LUCKILY, somewhere along the way, life grabbed me by the shoulders and shook the hopeless romantic out of me. I know, I know, it sounds kind of morose, but actually, it was more like divine intervention.

Hollywood happiness isn’t just fleeting, it’s not even humanly possible. In fact, it’s a fool’s set-up for complete and utter disappointment. And while I’m at it, so is all the “politically correct” love rhetoric floating around in today’s society.

I don’t like ad campaigns, movies, social media, fairytales, religion, race or even my parents telling me how to love, who to love and what I should be wearing while I’m doing it.

You see, I tried all that on for size and it didn’t fit. In fact, it was suffocatingly small for what life really had in store for me. Two divorces and a lot of emotional baggage later…

I realized…

Life is ridiculously messy and heartbreaking and more often than not, it doesn’t come with witty Billy Crystal dialogue, good movie lighting and a perfect wardrobe (believe me, some of my early New Year’s Eve outfits were real doozies.)

Eventually, that dress, that man, that party, it all changes. The focus appropriately shifts to the woman you’re becoming, how the man treats you (with loving actions, not gilded words) and just as important, it’s about who you choose to surround yourself with (even when at a party.) We are, after all, the company we keep.

As New Years pass, I’ve had a lot of time to think about “When Harry Met Sally” and exactly what I was trying to extract from the last scene of the movie. And…

The answer is still somewhat elusive because it’s not necessarily tangible. Instead, it’s this incredible *feeling* that washes over me when I watch it. One of warmth, hope, dreams and desires…

Which is impossible to find during an hour and thirty six minutes of cinematic romance. It simply takes a lifetime of mistakes: highs, lows, self-tolerance, growth and trusting yourself to find out exactly WHAT it is that YOU need and what YOU want and no one else.

And while I still love a fabulous dress, a festive party and a fantastic man, I’ve learned to go about it the right way — MY WAY — because we all deserve our own #HappilyEverAfter even if it’s not something Hollywood would ever write about and that’s why “Slay in Herve” is one of my Favorite Things.

Where:

Herve Leger inside BCBG South Beach
Lincoln Road Mall
Miami, Florida 33139

(On the corner of Lincoln and Meridian.)

When:

Monday-Wednesday: 10am-10pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-12am
Sunday: 11am-11pm

Be Social:
IG:@bcbgsouthbeach
Twitter: @HerveLeger

www.herveleger.com & www.bcbg.com

Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different…C.S. Lewis

A special thank you to BCBG South Beach & Herve Leger for supporting my ambitious fashion writing and television career everyday of the year.

This blog is dedicated to Jackie Kay.

James Woodley Photography
Dresses by Herve Leger, South Beach
& Jewelry by BCBG South Beach
Styling: Marina, Shireen & Jackie Kay
Make-up: Tabitha Rey & Hair: Jess Stuver of www.zenzenorganicsalon.com
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “I’m Not Harry” Auerbach
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Shireen's Favorite Things , , ,

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

It’s in the JEANS

What:

My elusive hunt for the perfect pair of jeans at CAVEAT in Wynwood.

Why:

I have a fashion confession: I don’t like jeans. In fact, sometimes I actually despise them and not for lack of trying. Believe you me, I’ve worn them all: skinny, wide, tight, lose, stretchy, stiff, cuffed, ripped, patchwork, pre-washed, raw, regal, dark, light, designer, department store, expensive, cheap. You name it, I’ve wiggled my way into the best of them, “butt”…

When I turn to check my backside, Sir Mix A Lot’s “Baby Got Back” creeps in to my head. “Oh, my, God Becky, look at her butt.” While I don’t mind having “junk in my trunk,” so to speak, it’s all about presentation. Even though I have a slight build, I do have curves and when stuffed into the wrong pair of denim, that famous line from the 1989 movie “Steel Magnolias” comes to mind…

The one where Olympia Dukakis’ character, Clairee, refers to a woman’s backside as “two pigs fighting under a blanket.” And don’t even get me started on trying to bend over in the latest pair of must-have’s! That’s when my apple bottom jeans scream: “Crack is Whack!” Or better yet, “Crack Kills” and showing one’s nether regions is never on trend unless, of course, you’re living in a nudist colony and why would you need jeans while living in the buff? #JustSaying

Over the years, I’ve often dreamed of designing my own denim. Imagine the possibilities?! A pair of jeans accentuating the positive and carefully concealing the negative. Frankly, it’s never been a possibility — until now.

Enter: CAVEAT, a place where you don’t just “find” the perfect pair of jeans, you “create” them. It’s called #TheCAVEATexperience

It’s an approach from days gone by mixed with modern technology. It involves personal attention built around a quality product; something we’ve lost sight of in a retail world driven by medicinal on-line shopping.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing like shopping in my pajamas with a vodka and soda, but sometimes you just need to touch, try and mull over a purchase in person and that’s where CAVEAT comes in.

The denim destination is housed in a nondescript building in Wynwood; inside, it’s anything but. The open-air interior exudes modern day glamour with a chic retail space. Directly behind it, though, is where the real magic happens. A large wall of raw denim is flanked by a cutting-table and just beyond that is a glass wall, giving a clear view into the manufacturing room, where on-site tailors create your custom order.

And it’s your say all the way. After getting measured, you handpick your own denim and the details: stitching, buttons, hardware, even your own zipper.

Stacy Glover, who’s the brains behind the company, told me: “You shouldn’t have to worry about your jeans. It should be one less decision in your busy life.” He means it, too. Everyone at CAVEAT wears a t-shirt that reads #OneLessDecision ….

Before our interview, I confessed I tried on at least 5 pairs of jeans, trying to find something he’d approve of, as well as keeping my crack concealed. We both had a good laugh, but I’ve just never had that go-to pair of jeans and it’s really bothered me over the years.

When I ask Stacy what the biggest mistake is when it comes to wearing denim, the answer easily rolls off his tongue. “Not living in them long enough,” he says. When I ask him to expand, he shares what I believe to be the true Yoda secret of good denim: “You have to give them a chance, break them in, let them mold to the body and that doesn’t happen after just a few wears or seasons.”

I feel good about Stacy and CAVEAT, and I can’t always say that about fashion. I often wonder if certain boutiques and designers have the tenacity to make it. What I mean is: does the idea or concept have strength and longevity?

Anyone can open a business, but can they put their finger on the pulse of fashion? It’s a fickle fraternity that spits out the best of them. Jeans, though? It’s a staple, a sure thing, everyone has them. They’re just not all created like CAVEAT.

Don’t miss Deco Drive tonight at 7:00p.m. on Channel 7 as we go inside CAVEAT; showcasing their personalized experience. It’s interesting, unique and fun. Yes, fashion can still be fun, even satisfying, especially when “It’s in the Jeans” and that’s why it’s one of my Favorite Things. 👖

Where:

CAVEAT
448 NW 28th Street
Miami, Florida 33127

When:

Monday -Friday: 11am-7pm
Saturday: 12-6pm

www.caveatmiami.com

Be Social:
FB: @caveatmiami
IG: @caveatmiami
Twitter: @caveatmiami

I want to die with my blue jeans on.Andy Warhol

Natural Woman

Creating at Caveat #annieSS

James Woodley Photography
Styling: CAVEAT & Shireen Sandoval
Denim provided by CAVEAT
Tops & boots by Zara
Make-up: Tabitha Rey & Hair: Jess Stuver of www.zenzenorganicsalon.com
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Jean Genie” Auerbach

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Shireen's Favorite Things , , , , ,

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

Au Naturel

What:

Learning to embrace and maybe even love my curly hair — despite decades of beating it into submission — thanks to Zen Zen Organic Salon.

Why:

You may not be able to tell by looking at me, but I have really curly hair. Like, CRAZY curly. I’d even go as far as saying it’s kinky and not in a good way. It’s taken me years to come to terms with it and even longer to learn how to beat it into submission.

Believe you me, I’ve tried everything humanly possible to undo it: blowing, straightening, ironing, perming, curling, keratin, braiding, sponge curling, praying; the list goes on…

You name it, I’ve tried it. All in search of silky, satiny, sleek, sexy, poker-straight hair. You’d think by now I would’ve mastered my own mop, but sadly, I haven’t.

Instead, I let the professionals have their way with it, which includes: a weekly wash/blow-out/flat-iron sesh. If I have time, I ask for curls (of course, not my own.) I prefer well-contrived, perfectly constructed ones, created by a professional in a temperature-controlled environment. Yep…

Getting my hair straight is a full-time job and one I take pretty seriously. Television isn’t exactly the kind of career where you just let your fro’ go and hope for the best; in fact, I’ve written several blogs about it.

So, how is this one different? “Au Naturel” is about reimagining what my hair could have, would have, should have been if I had grown-up differently, in a progressive environment and bigger town. The blog is also about self acceptance, even if it’s years in the making. Speaking of…

From the moment I popped out of my mom’s womb, I had big, beautiful, bushy hair. I was a happy little towhead, with ridiculously cute ringlets. As I reached adolescence, my blonde locks faded into sandy brown and my curls grew tighter and thicker, becoming incredibly coarse. It made me miserable.

Mainly, because I didn’t know how to care for it and no one around me did, either. My mother tried, but it became impossible for her, too. That’s when we started our monthly salon crawls, trying to find someone who could understand and help manage my ethnic hair. Our search was semi-successful once we found some tricks of the trade.

Hello, lye and sodium hydroxide (those are the chemicals used to beat one’s hair into submission.) It stinks to high heaven, but the burning and stinging sensations (on the scalp) are even worse. Despite the suffering, the process never gave me the silky, straight hair I longed for. It did, however, make it more manageable.

As the years passed, I learned not to overlap lye (it burns your hair off) and without fail, I kept up the diligent task of hiding my hair’s true texture. If I had to be completely honest, I was only fooling myself.

Fast forward to adulthood and a successful career in television and a lot has changed (including society’s perception of naturally curly/kinky hair.) Meeting and working with some of the best styling gurus in the business has indeed helped me with my life-long hair struggles, but the last three years have been the most pivotal.

Zen Zen Organic Hair Salon and its master stylists (Cindy & Jess) have literally transformed my hair and my mindset. They treat your head and anything on it with love, respect and compassion, shying away from harsh chemicals and damaging techniques. Instead, they help you understand and care for your natural hair, all while helping it reach its maximum potential.

In the meantime, society has slowly but surely shifted its view on what beautiful hair is, with some of Hollywood’s leading ladies and high-profile models embracing their natural textures, in turn sending a healthy message to not only love the skin you’re in, but to celebrate it, too.

I’ve seen the aforementioned individuality movement expressed strongly in “Generation Z” (kids of today,) who easily express their ethnicities without the confinement of labels like “TV News Hair” or “Barbie Hair” (the list goes on)…

I’m not saying the world is perfect and there aren’t still prejudices, but I do think it’s better and I do think some of us are horrified by those who are judged because of race, religion and their overall “differences”…

In a perfect world, if I had been given a chance to see a famous actress, model or TV presenter with big, beautiful bushy hair, I think things would have been different for me. I would have relished my individuality and when I looked in the mirror, I wouldn’t have hated my curls and made it my life-long commitment to undo them.

When I see a young girl now with an Afro, I smile and think of how far we’ve come and how “Au Naturel” is removing the burden of some weird, unattainable perfection and replacing it with the beauty of individuality and that’s why it’s one of my favorite things.

Where:

Zen Zen Organic Salon
1825 NE 123rd Street
North Miami, Florida 33138

When:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-7pm

www.zenzenorganicsalon.com

IG: @zenzenorganicsalonspa
FB: Zen Zen Organic Salon & Spa

Curly headed girls rule the world.anonymous
Photographer: James Woodley Photography
Styling: Jackie Kay
Wigs styled by: Jess Stuver
Make-up: Tabitha Rey
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “The Beauty of Imperfection” Auerbach
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Shireen's Favorite Things , , ,